Photos by Tom McGlinn
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What’s Our Vision?
A: To offer a year-round daytime and overnight shelter. We will expand our services to include those at risk of becoming homeless, partnering with other organizations to maintain or find alternative housing. We will also work to identify wrap-around services when needed. We will do this in a caring, respectful and dignified environment with a commitment to encouraging those we serve towards greater independence.
Q: Who Do We Serve?
A: Today we serve individuals who are literally homeless. These individuals lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. They camp, live in cars, or shelter in places not meant for human habitation, like a shed or a construction trailer. In addition to individual adults experiencing homelessness, we plan to serve low-income individuals and families who are in danger of imminently losing their housing or are otherwise housing insecure.
Q: How Do We Serve Them?
A: The Warming Place provides critical assistance to people facing homelessness and economic hardships through various supportive services. One of our primary functions is to offer temporary shelter, especially during the cold winter months when the need for warmth and protection is heightened.
Q: What Additional Services Do You Provide?
A: The Warming Place also plays an important role in connecting individuals with additional resources and support services, such as healthcare and social programs. Furthermore, the organization fosters a sense of community and belonging, creating an environment where individuals can find emotional support and camaraderie, helping to alleviate the isolation often associated with homelessness.
The Warming Place serves as a lifeline for vulnerable individuals, offering both practical assistance and a compassionate community to help them navigate and overcome difficult circumstances.
Q: By The Numbers
A: 2023 was the first season we offered overnight shelter 7 nights a week for 21 weeks and 2 days a week for 25 weeks.
• The Warming Place sheltered 23 individuals
• Aged 18-71
• 45% were Spanish language speakers
• More than 1500 meals were served
• 233 Stop & Shop grocery assistance cards were distributed
• More than 50 volunteers worked nearly 1,000 hours
Q: How To Help?
A: Your support possesses the transformative power to profoundly impact the lives of those touched by The Warming Place. Please consider joining us as the driving force behind The Warming Place’s vision—your generosity as a supporter will not only help us build something new but also leave a lasting positive impact on the island we love.
REASONS FOR HOMELESSNESS ON NANTUCKET
Economic Challenges & Seasonal Employment:
The combination of seasonal employment, high cost of living, poor compensation, and limited affordable housing options contribute to homelessness.
Psychological & Physical Disability and Medical Conditions:
People experiencing chronic homelessness often have complex and long-term conditions such as mental illness, substance abuse disorders, physical disabilities, or other medical conditions.
Access to Community, State and Federal Support Services:
The lack of available and easy access to support services, such as transitional housing, assistance with disability applications, food assistance and health resources, play a role in homelessness.
Social Stigma:
Immigration Status:
